Pine Water District may boost rates 40 percent
The Pine-Strawberry Water Improvement District board will meet at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning to consider increasing both water rates and property taxes.
Brush fire near church
A quick moving brush fire ate through 1.5 acres of a church’s side yard Thursday afternoon, surprising church officials and neighbors who watched as the low lying flames easily burned through the dry brush as blustery winds pushed the smoke all over.
Welcome to rodeo country
There is something different about the 2013 edition of the Gary Hardt Memorial Spring Rodeo — actually there are several new features. New features
Rodeo adds fun new features
The Payson Rodeo Committee’s annual Gary Hardt Memorial Spring Rodeo kicks off Thursday, May 16 with a new event, Bulls, Broncs & Bling.
Rodeo revolves around seven traditions
The Gary Hardt Memorial Spring Rodeo started as an Old-Timers Rodeo years ago, but has since grown into a fully sanctioned PRCA event featuring some of the top cowboys and cowgirls in the country.
Mister Payson Rodeo - Armstrong keeps rodeo heritage alive
In the Rim Country, Bill Armstrong is known as a longtime rodeo boss, a crafty businessman, a sports aficionado and the father and grandfather to some of the finest athletes to ever play for Payson High School.
Stock contractor and commentators make Payson rodeos possible
They aren’t cowboys competing for points, but without them there would be no competitor. They’re the stock contractor and announcers. Once again, the Salt River Rodeo Company will be providing the livestock for the Spring Rodeo.
The business of rodeo - love fuels engine
Rodeos today look a whole lot different than the early ones held among working cowboys and vaqueros in weathered, dusty arenas. And they cost a lot more to put on. A two-day rodeo requires months of planning and a whole lot of flare. Spectators expect entertainers, commentators, concessioners, professional judges and seasoned cowboys.
Memories of the man of the memorial
The Payson Pro Rodeo Committee honors the memory of Gary Hardt when the action hits the arena at the Payson Event Center this week. Among those who remember him fondly is his son, Shawn, now a teacher and coach in Queen Creek.
Entertainment: beauty, precision, plus hilarity
Entertainment beyond the competition at Payson Event Center will include beauties in precision drills and the hilarity and high jinks of the PRCA 2012 Clown of the Year.
Rodeo queen contest draws six hopefuls
They were those little girls who loved horses. Some grew up on ranches where horses were part of their lives; others had to persuade their parents to help them pursue their passion with riding lessons and boarding arrangements.
Campaign for state’s rodeo crowns
A half-dozen beautiful young women will be in Payson this week focused on a contest for a crown — or two. The Miss Rodeo Arizona Pageant is in the Rim Country for the Gary Hardt Memorial Spring Rodeo.
Gary Hardt Memorial Spring Rodeo Schedule
Tickets available at: Rim Country Chamber of Commerce, all area Circle Ks, Bob’s Western Wear, Bill Armstrong Jewelry & Pawn in Star Valley, and the Payson Public Library ($2 off coupons can be found in the Payson Roundup)
‘We'll never know what happened’
Motorcycle crash claims owner of Jakes Corner Bar
The owner of Jakes Corner Bar died this weekend in a motorcycle accident just a few miles south of town. Rickie “Rick” Heppler, 63, was heading south on Highway 87 into Rye Saturday afternoon when he lost control of his Harley and crashed near milepost 244.
Teens vent on police, curfew
If the Payson Police Department were required to take a class in teenage public relations, it would pass, but just barely. A town survey reveals most Payson teens have just a so-so view of the local police. Police Chief Don Engler says that’s not good enough.
No teacher layoffs
The Payson School Board Monday night approved a passel of new administrative contracts as well as 128 teacher contracts that will mark the first time in three years the district has avoided teacher layoffs.
Chilson triumphs, other Longhorn teams fall
Longhorns’ soaring hopes came crashing to earth on Friday after a storybook season in golf, track and field, softball and baseball. For complete details, see Sports on 1B.
Love hurts
Payson Wildlife Fair offers lessons in nature and the pitfalls of being in a relationship with an eagle
You’d think Jerry Dstwinkle would hate golden eagles. One tore out a bunch of his teeth. One punched a hole nearly clear through his arm. One left three long scars on his wrist. But people are funny — much harder to figure than eagles.
Community Almanac
Registration is open and continues through the course of the 2013 Summer Recreation Program presented by the the Payson Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department.
Jaramillo sentenced
A murder suspect’s flight from Gila County Sheriff’s deputies will cost him five years in prison, no matter how the White Mountains murder trial turns out.
